1
Meanwhile, before the Passover feast began, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Just as He had always loved His disciples, so now He loved them to the end.

2
They were eating together, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, the plan to betray Him.

3
Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.

4
Then Jesus rose from supper and laid aside His outer garment. He took a linen cloth and tied it around His waist,

5
then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the cloth that was tied around His waist.

6
So He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”

7
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

8
Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me.”

9
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10
Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”

11
For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12
After He had washed their feet, He put on His garments and returned to His place. Then He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?

13
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you speak rightly, for so I am.

14
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet;

15
for I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

16
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

18
I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: ‘He who ate My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’

19
I am telling you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He.”

20
I tell you the truth: whoever receives anyone I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

21
After Jesus had said this, He was deeply troubled in spirit, and He testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me.”

22
The disciples looked at one another, uncertain whom He meant.

23
One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close to Him, at His right side.

24
Simon Peter motioned to that disciple and said, “Ask who He means!”

25
So the disciple, leaning back against Jesus, asked Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it.” Then, after saying this, He took the bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

27
And after Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

28
But none of those at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas.

29
Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.

30
After Judas had taken the bread, he went out at once. And it was night.

31
When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.

32
If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him at once.

33
Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come; so now I say it to you also.

34
I give you a new command: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another.

35
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

36
Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but later you will follow Me.”

37
Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!”

38
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

📖 John 13 – A Lesson in True Love: Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

🧾 Summary of John 13

John 13 begins the second section in the Gospel of John, focusing on Jesus’ service to His disciples before the crucifixion. In this chapter, Jesus gives an example of love and humility by washing the disciples’ feet, including Judas, who would betray Him. He then teaches the new commandment: to love one another as He has loved them.

1. Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (verses 1–17)

The time was drawing near for Jesus to leave this world and return to the Father.
Jesus showed His perfect love to the end for the disciples.
At supper, Jesus rose, laid aside His outer garment, wrapped a linen cloth around Himself, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, an act usually done by a servant.
Peter first refused, but Jesus said that if Peter was not washed, he would have no part with Jesus.
Jesus affirmed:

“If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, then you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (verse 14)

This is a lesson in humility and unconditional service.

2. Announcement of Judas’ Betrayal (verses 18–30)

Jesus quoted Psalm 41:10 about a friend who lifts up his heel against Him.
He stated plainly that one of them would betray Him.
The disciples were confused—they did not know whom He meant.
Jesus told John that it was the one to whom He would give the piece of bread He had dipped.
He gave it to Judas Iscariot, and it is said:

“After Judas received the bread, Satan entered into him.” (verse 27)

Judas went out immediately that night, and the Gospel records:

“So Judas went out. It was night.” – this was not only a literal time, but also symbolic: the darkness of betrayal had come.

3. The New Commandment: Love (verses 31–35)

After Judas left, Jesus said that the time had come for the Son of Man to be glorified (through the cross).
He gave a new commandment:

“Love one another, just as I have loved you.” (verse 34)
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples.” (verse 35)

Active and self-sacrificing love becomes the identity of true disciples of Christ.

4. Announcement of Peter’s Denial (verses 36–38)

Peter asked where Jesus was going; Jesus answered that he could not follow yet.
Peter eagerly said he would lay down his life for Jesus.
But Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

📘 Main Teachings of John 13

Humility is the foundation of spiritual leadership – Jesus, as Lord, served His disciples.
Love is shown by real actions, not only by words.
Jesus still showed love even to the betrayer (Judas) – His love is unconditional.
Love among fellow disciples of Christ is a clear sign of true Christianity.
Human weakness does not surprise the Lord – as He knew Peter would deny Him, yet still loved him.

✨ Spiritual Meaning of John 13

The foot-washing moment is a picture of divine humility—that true glory is seen in service and sacrifice.
Jesus’ love is not an abstract love, but a love that washes feet, forgives the betrayer, and teaches the same love to His disciples.
The new command, “love one another,” is the foundation of church life and Christ’s witness to the world.
John 13 teaches that it is not enough merely to know about love—we must do it.